Mount Hebron wins in overtime, 8-7

The Mount Hebron lacrosse team celebrated twice yesterday. The first time came with seconds left in regulation, when the Vikings thought they had the Class 1A-2A state title wrapped up.

The second time came several minutes later in sudden-death overtime when Chris Vissers scored the winning goal in the Vikings' 8-7 victory over defending state champion North Harford at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

After North Harford's Chuck Kelly scored from 10 yards out with 16 seconds left to force the overtime, Vissers won the game by depositing a Mike McQuaid crossing pass into the net with 1:02 left in the three-minute sudden-death period.

It was the mirror play," said McQuaid of the winning goal. "I try to beat my man around the left side, and Chris' man usually shades over to help, leaving him wide open for the pass in front. Today, it worked to perfection three or four times."

Mount Hebron coach Warren Michael said: "I told them, 'This is the play we run the best. You've got to go with what took you to the dance.' It was a close game last year, and we wanted to have a bit of redemption."

In last year's state semifinals, North Harford scored a late goal against the Vikings to send the game into overtime, then won, 8-7. Many Mount Hebron players felt they had a score to settle.

"When they scored that late goal, I thought, 'Here we go again,' " said Vissers. "I was just in shock."

McQuaid said: "It's hard to regroup after something like that, but we knew we owed them from last year."